My name is Ms. Higgins (Mrs. Segers) and I am so excited about the first day of Kindergarten. Kindergarten is lots of fun and you will learn so many things this year! Earlier this morning I was trying to think of what to say to you to help this day go smoother for you and to help you get over the jitters and nervousness that you are feeling. Then I realized that I was nervous. I was afraid that you boy and girls would not want to come Kindergarten. Then when I got here and I saw all of your smiling faces, I knew that this year was going to be a wonderful year! We have so many fun things planned and I just know that you will love Kindergarten!
Then read Mrs. Bindergarten’s First Day of Kindergarten and discuss class rules.
First Day of School Schedule:
7:30- 8:00 Unpack, Breakfast in the Classroom, Introduction to Kindergarten
8:00- 8:30 Introduction to the classroom: tour of the different things in the classroom, getting to know the teacher, para-pro, and students
8:30- 9:15 Classroom rules, P.A.W.S Rules
9:15- 10:00 Introduction to Writing (name writing), Introduction to Literacy Stations, and rules of Literacy Stations
10:00- 10:45 Story time and Introduction to Phonics
10:45- 11:15 Lunch
11:15- 12:00 Introduction to Centers and Rest time.
12:00- 12:45 Specials – P.E.
12:50- 1:50 Introduction to Math and Interactive Math game
1:50- 2:20 Recess
2:20- 2:30 Pack up
2:30 Load Buses/ Parent Pickup/ Afterschool
This schedule is loosely based on the everyday school schedule at Kilough Elementary, set forth by the Dawson County Board of Education
Some note that you should keep in mind:
7 Questions Students Have on the 1st Day
Am I in the right room? (Have a roster on the side of the door, and greet each student when they walk in. Make a personal connection by placing a hand on your students' shoulders or giving them a high five or hand shake. It is also a good idea to have your door decorated with each student's name on it.)
Where am I supposed to sit? (Have their names on the desks)
Who is my teacher as a person? (Include information in 1st day speech)
What are the rules in this class?
Will I be treated as a human being? (Smile at children, have eye contact, use friendly body language, etc.)
What will we be doing this year?
How will I be graded?
Prepare, Prepare, Prepare
The classroom
Student work (At least the 1st week's work)
Yourself
Your 1st words are extremely important!
Smile
Exude care
Set positive expectation
Address the 7 questions students always have.
1st Day
Celebrate the 1st day!
Greet students at the door with a handshake or touch
Have assigned seats
Have something on their desks for them to do while other students enter the room
Have all seats facing the front initially
Plan a really fun day that will make them want to come back to school!
Have the class organized and and the day fully planned
Students like to...
Talk about themselves
Hands-on activities
Puzzles
Coloring (Give them blank sheets of paper or a canvas so they'll feel more like a real artist, and don't give them notebook paper. Also send home a note to see if parents will send in an old t-shirt that the child can use as a smock. Have a variety of art supplies that children can choose from.)
Explore (Scavenger hunt)
Computer
Reading stories
Pattern blocks
Cards
Dancing
Outside
Singing
Side note: Go ahead and start collecting magazines, happy meal toys, etc. for your future students.
To be effective you should...
Look at the students with a firm but friendly smile.
Use a firm but soft tone in your voice.
Speak slowly and communicate your expectations.
Ex. "When you sit down you will find an activity on your desk. I think you will enjoy doing this activity. Please begin working on it right away. Thank you."
Rules & Procedures
Plan ahead of time what you want your rules to include.
Students can have input in deciding positive and negative consequences.
Follow through with consequences on the very first infraction.
Have a specific way for students to line up for emergencies so that each student can check to see that the right person is in front and in back of him.
Have a procedure for students to indicate each need rather than raising their hands to receive verbal permission from you.
First Day Sample Activities:
Have the students tell about themselves
Do an activity like the one pictured below:
get to know the student and get a feel for their level of learning.
Hello Boys and Girls,
My name is Ms. Higgins (Mrs. Segers) and I am so excited about the first day of Kindergarten. Kindergarten is lots of fun and you will learn so many things this year! Earlier this morning I was trying to think of what to say to you to help this day go smoother for you and to help you get over the jitters and nervousness that you are feeling. Then I realized that I was nervous. I was afraid that you boy and girls would not want to come Kindergarten. Then when I got here and I saw all of your smiling faces, I knew that this year was going to be a wonderful year! We have so many fun things planned and I just know that you will love Kindergarten!
First Day of School Schedule:
7:30- 8:00 Unpack, Breakfast in the Classroom, Introduction to Kindergarten
8:00- 8:30 Introduction to the classroom: tour of the different things in the classroom, getting to know the teacher, para-pro, and students
8:30- 9:15 Classroom rules, P.A.W.S Rules
9:15- 10:00 Introduction to Writing (name writing), Introduction to Literacy Stations, and rules of Literacy Stations
10:00- 10:45 Story time and Introduction to Phonics
10:45- 11:15 Lunch
11:15- 12:00 Introduction to Centers and Rest time.
12:00- 12:45 Specials – P.E.
12:50- 1:50 Introduction to Math and Interactive Math game
1:50- 2:20 Recess
2:20- 2:30 Pack up
2:30 Load Buses/ Parent Pickup/ Afterschool
Some note that you should keep in mind:
7 Questions Students Have on the 1st Day
Am I in the right room? (Have a roster on the side of the door, and greet each student when they walk in. Make a personal connection by placing a hand on your students' shoulders or giving them a high five or hand shake. It is also a good idea to have your door decorated with each student's name on it.)
Where am I supposed to sit? (Have their names on the desks)
Who is my teacher as a person? (Include information in 1st day speech)
What are the rules in this class?
Will I be treated as a human being? (Smile at children, have eye contact, use friendly body language, etc.)
What will we be doing this year?
How will I be graded?
Prepare, Prepare, Prepare
The classroom
Student work (At least the 1st week's work)
Yourself
Your 1st words are extremely important!
Smile
Exude care
Set positive expectation
Address the 7 questions students always have.
1st Day
Celebrate the 1st day!
Greet students at the door with a handshake or touch
Have assigned seats
Have something on their desks for them to do while other students enter the room
Have all seats facing the front initially
Plan a really fun day that will make them want to come back to school!
Have the class organized and and the day fully planned
Students like to...
Talk about themselves
Hands-on activities
Puzzles
Coloring (Give them blank sheets of paper or a canvas so they'll feel more like a real artist, and don't give them notebook paper. Also send home a note to see if parents will send in an old t-shirt that the child can use as a smock. Have a variety of art supplies that children can choose from.)
Explore (Scavenger hunt)
Computer
Reading stories
Pattern blocks
Cards
Dancing
Outside
Singing
Side note: Go ahead and start collecting magazines, happy meal toys, etc. for your future students.
To be effective you should...
Look at the students with a firm but friendly smile.
Use a firm but soft tone in your voice.
Speak slowly and communicate your expectations.
Ex. "When you sit down you will find an activity on your desk. I think you will enjoy doing this activity. Please begin working on it right away. Thank you."
Rules & Procedures
Plan ahead of time what you want your rules to include.
Students can have input in deciding positive and negative consequences.
Follow through with consequences on the very first infraction.
Have a specific way for students to line up for emergencies so that each student can check to see that the right person is in front and in back of him.
Have a procedure for students to indicate each need rather than raising their hands to receive verbal permission from you.
First Day Sample Activities: